12/03/04: Construction Update #15
Colleagues,
Winter 2004...
As Winter Break approaches the College is putting the final touches on plans to repair and upgrade facilities. The following is a list of projects that will improve the College's classrooms, labs, computer commons, infrastructure, as well as access around the campus. Projects are discussed by building, alphabetized for easy reference. Please take a moment to inform yourself of the upcoming changes in your particular facility. In some cases, access will be restricted, or you may be asked to pack office items for temporary storage. Thank you for staying informed, and for your cooperation.
AU-117 Classroom Conversion (AU)
This classroom will be provided with a new entryway so the room can be accessed from the sidewalk west of T-1. This will eliminate students having to go through the Automotive labs and storage areas to enter the room. The project will also eliminate a safety hazard and provide more security for lab items and equipment.
Business Bldg. (B)
All classroom doors and the International Students Program doors in the Business Building will be replaced. This project (19 doors) is scheduled to begin Dec 27, 2004, and completed by January 14, 2005.
Diversion Box Covers
New screen covers will be installed on five flood irrigation diversion boxes. These new covers will better secure the entry to these large boxes to prevent animals or mischief makers from entering the flood culverts and possibly injuring themselves.
High Tech Centers 1 and 2 (HT1&HT2)
Both High Tech Centers (HT1&2) will have carpeting replaced. The present dirty brown carpet, some of it nearly 13 years old, will be replaced by new blue-grey-beige carpet tiles. The tiles allow easier installation, can be replaced as traffic paths develop/dictate (replacement tiles will be virtually undetectable) and are environmentally safe (including adhesives). All High Tech Center operations and programs normally housed in the HT1&2 will be affected. There will continue to be limited computing available in alternate facilities, so please watch your emails for information regarding program availability, locations and hours of operation. If your office or work space is located in either High Tech Center, please contact Sue Murry for a detailed message that outlines what must be done to make this renovation easy for all.In addition to new carpet tiles, all main entryway doors in HT1&2 will be replaced and card key access locks installed.
The project will begin on December 20, 2004, in HT2 and December 27, 2004, in HT1. Completion of both the carpet and door projects in HT1&2 is scheduled for January 10, 2005.
Math Bldg. (MA)
Viewing windows will be installed in the Math Building classrooms. This request is part of a larger initiative to provide more visibility into classrooms during periods of non-occupancy, as well as reducing interruptions when classes are in progress. Windows will also improve safety for individuals exiting or entering a room, as they will be able to see other people coming through the door at the same time.Hallways and classroom doors will also be refreshed in the Math Bldg. This work will immediately follow the installation of the viewing windows.
Music Bldg. 1 (MU1)
The SW entry automatic door operator will be replaced. The old operator is worn and subject to frequent failure or malfunction. In addition, we will install an ADA-compliant water fountain in the south hallway of MU1. Presently there is no fountain available to drink from for a person using a mobility aid.
Parking Lots
Parking Lot Striping – The traffic lines will be refreshed and some correction will be made regarding sidewalk placement, etc. This work will be non-intrusive to regular traffic, but please watch for barricades and workers.
Performing Arts Center (PAC)
In February 2005 Glendale Community College will co-host the Kennedy Center Arts Theater Festival with Phoenix College. Numerous repairs, refreshment activities and landscaping will prepare the PAC to host this national event. Many thanks to the Performing Arts faculty and staff for their help in identifying needed improvements.
Roofs--Athletics, Math, Student Union, O-7 and Physical Science Bldgs.
The roofs in the Student Union and Athletics buildings have been repaired and are pending only a final walk-through for acceptance. The next two roofs on the schedule are Math (Classroom side) and O-7 (Faculty Offices). Skylights in the PS Bldg. will also be inspected and repaired. The projected start dates are being finalized and will be provided as soon as they are available.
Signage Project
Building Signage Installation – Twenty-eight buildings will have new signage installed. This is the final phase of the signage project that provides buildings with individual 9-inch letters to present more visible signage and better identify the buildings and departments.
Sidewalks and Planter Boxes--Physical Science Bldg. (PS)
There will be various repairs made to sidewalks in proximity to the PS Building. In addition, areas where the bricks have started coming dislodged from walls and planters will be repaired throughout the campus.
Technology Public Services Bldg. (TPS)
The TPS Bldg. is scheduled to have a new stucco exterior finish installed. This new finish will provide better insulation to the building and reduce energy consumption, as well as improve the appearance, now suffering from severe weather deterioration.
Technology 2 Bldg. (T2)
Continuing an earlier project, T2-108 will be painted, ceiling tiles replaced and fixtures re-lamped for improved lighting.
Technology 3 Bldg. (T3)
The outdoor Automotive Program stalls will have their lighting replaced with safer, more energy efficient, brighter lamps and fixtures. Faculty and staff who use this facility are asked to make sure all automobiles are removed from the work area. This project requires the College to rent lift equipment to reach the ceiling lighting fixtures, so delays only add to project costs. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Projects Pending Approval
Install Gutters in T2 and T3 –
These buildings will have new gutters installed to better control roof water runoff during rainstorms. The present system allows the water to penetrate behind the wall and seep onto the ceiling tiles and floor.
Repair Fitness and Wellness Shower Stalls (FW) –
This project will repair the shower stall walls by removing and replacing the damaged wallboard and tile.
Special Thanks
As you can now appreciate, the College Facilities Manager and maintenance staff have been very aggressive in securing major maintenance funding and planning projects to improve the College. In fact, the College has requested over $500,000 to accomplish the above tasks and more. Equally important is the excellent support provided by our counterparts in the District Facilities Planning and Development office. My personal thanks to Al Gonzales, Jim Tharp, Arlen Solochek, Lionel Diaz, John Sazama, and their staffs for the work you do. We truly are an oasis in so many ways because of you!
Thanks and Old Updates...
If you have been reading these updates over the past two years, you have become conversant with terms like Grasspave™, Gravelpave™, Dick Fossbury, EYES, College Commons and ASK ME. If you are new to GCC and have missed this educational journey, you can still access back issues on this web site, where each update is archived, forever (that's why we call it life-long learning). Lastly, thanks to the many employees who have submitted requests and recommendations to M&O, either independently, through the budget process or through your ASK ME coordinator. You do make a difference!Have a safe, happy holiday season.
Charles F. Jeffery
Construction Liaison
